Wiretap ties New York governor to prostitution ring
by Emily Cohn | Cornell Daily Sun (Cornell University)
Issue date: 3/12/08 Section: News
(U-WIRE) — The future of Gov. Eliot Spitzer's (D-N.Y.) political career is currently on the line after being linked to a prostitution ring Monday. The former attorney general, whose tenure has been marked by efforts to curb Wall Street corruption, was accused of arranging a meeting with a high-priced prostitute on Feb. 13.
According to the Associated Press, a federal wiretap captured a telephone call from a man identified as "Client 9," planning a meeting with a prostitute. An anonymous law enforcement officer identified Spitzer as the man who paid $4,300 in cash to have sex with a "petite, pretty brunette, 5-feet-5 inches, and 105 pounds," named Kristen, the AP reported.
While the governor has not been charged and prosecutors have not yet commented on the case, the governor faced immediate calls to resign.
"I think he will probably evaluate what he thinks is best for the party," said Michael Mouton '10, speakers chair for the Cornell Democrats. However, Mouton predicted that the scandal will have negative effects on the upcoming state elections.
Mouton said he believes that if there is enough hard material, he would expect the governor to resign.
"He has to step down. No one will stand with him," said Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y) according to the AP. "I never try to take advantage or gloat over a personal tragedy. However, this is different. This is a guy who is so self-righteous, and so unforgiving."
Monday afternoon, Spitzer stood alongside his wife to face the press and offer his apologies to both his family and the people of New York.
As the AP reported, Spitzer said, "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself."
"I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family," he continued.
The investigation into the call-girl service Emperors Club VIP was said to have begun as a tax inquiry about a year ago by the Internal Revenue Service, according to the AP. The analysis gathered telephone calls, e-mails and text-messages in addition to bank, travel and hotel records, but it is uncertain if Spitzer was being targeted in the initial stages of the investigation.
According to the Associated Press, a federal wiretap captured a telephone call from a man identified as "Client 9," planning a meeting with a prostitute. An anonymous law enforcement officer identified Spitzer as the man who paid $4,300 in cash to have sex with a "petite, pretty brunette, 5-feet-5 inches, and 105 pounds," named Kristen, the AP reported.
While the governor has not been charged and prosecutors have not yet commented on the case, the governor faced immediate calls to resign.
"I think he will probably evaluate what he thinks is best for the party," said Michael Mouton '10, speakers chair for the Cornell Democrats. However, Mouton predicted that the scandal will have negative effects on the upcoming state elections.
Mouton said he believes that if there is enough hard material, he would expect the governor to resign.
"He has to step down. No one will stand with him," said Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y) according to the AP. "I never try to take advantage or gloat over a personal tragedy. However, this is different. This is a guy who is so self-righteous, and so unforgiving."
Monday afternoon, Spitzer stood alongside his wife to face the press and offer his apologies to both his family and the people of New York.
As the AP reported, Spitzer said, "I have disappointed and failed to live up to the standard I expected of myself."
"I must now dedicate some time to regain the trust of my family," he continued.
The investigation into the call-girl service Emperors Club VIP was said to have begun as a tax inquiry about a year ago by the Internal Revenue Service, according to the AP. The analysis gathered telephone calls, e-mails and text-messages in addition to bank, travel and hotel records, but it is uncertain if Spitzer was being targeted in the initial stages of the investigation.
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